Sailing into the Presence of the Lord

John 21:1-8

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

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Well it's not far down to paradise
At least it's not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away
And find tranquility
Oh, the canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see
Baby believe me, oh

It's not far to Never Never Land
No reason to pretend
And if the wind is right you can find the joy
Of innocence again
Oh, the canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see
Baby believe me, oh

Sailing (takes me away)
Takes me away
To where I've always heard it could be
(I heard it could be)
Just a dream and a wind to carry me
(Soon I will be free)
Soon I will be free, yeah

"Sailing" recorded by Christopher Cross, written by Carter Burwell from Cross' self-titled first album.

Yesterday had two men heading home to deal with the events they had seen. Today we have the Apostles, those closest to Jesus. They decide to go back to work. They go fishing. It's not hard to imagine they go as much to take their minds off the events of the past few days as to make a few coins.

Jesus is the canvas on whom their lives is drawn, and on that canvas miracles are drawn. Yes, the fish are a miracle, but the greater miracle is the one who makes it all possible. The greater miracle is the one who makes the fire on the beach. The greater miracle is the one who already has a couple of fish on the fire.

The greatest miracle is his presence.

Sharing the presence of the fully human fully divine Lord of all, that's the greatest miracle of all.

and isn't that enough?